Labiaplasty Revision & Reconstruction

Labiaplasty is a surgical procedure that can produce life-changing results for women affected by large or asymmetrical labia. Labia reduction is designed to reduce or reshape the labia minora to improve their appearance and optimise function. Some women may experience pain and discomfort during sexual intercourse. Women who have labia surgery often develop a significant boost in self-confidence and emotional well-being.

RELATED: Labiaplasty FAQs – Q&As about Labia Reduction

The decision to have labiaplasty surgery is a significant one for many women. Women will often have researched the procedure in detail to find the best surgeon and clinic to carry out the procedure. Unfortunately, the outcome of labiaplasty surgery may not meet a woman’s expectations. We regularly see women who have had botched labiaplasty surgery performed elsewhere, whether in the UK or overseas, including in Turkey. All surgical procedures, including labia reduction, involve certain risks. Labial tissue has complex anatomy; each patient will respond differently to surgery and postoperative recovery depending on the extent of surgical correction required. Even the best-performed labia surgery may produce an undesirable labiaplasty result.

RELATED: How to choose the best labiaplasty surgeon

For patients who are deeply unhappy with the results of the Labiaplasty procedure performed elsewhere, Dr Dimitriadi may be able to help. Dr Dimitriadi is a recognised expert in revision labiaplasty in London and can help to address any concerns you may have from previous surgery. Having a consultation will allow the surgeon to make a clinical decision as to whether they will be able to achieve what you are looking for.

RELATED: What is a revision labiaplasty?

Dr Paraskevi Dimitriadi is a specialist cosmetic gynaecologist and has trained at some of the world’s leading hospitals in all aspects of gynaecology. Dr Dimitriadi continues to practice in a major London teaching hospital. She takes an active interest in research into cosmetic gynaecology and lectures nationally and internationally on various topics in aesthetic gynaecology. She is a full member of the European Society of Aesthetic Gynaecology (ESAG).

Dr Dimitriadi is known for her caring, patient-centred approach, supporting all her patients, and always striving to optimise patient outcomes at stages of the patient journey. As a female surgeon, Dr Dimitriadi understands her patient’s most delicate needs and preferences,  which allows her to create a personalised and bespoke treatment plan to meet the patient’s goals. She is regarded as one of the top gynaecological surgeons in London by her peers. Dr Dimitriadi brings together her expertise across both surgical and non-surgical gynaecological treatments.

Labiaplasty revision and reconstruction are each distinct surgical procedures that are designed to target specific concerns from previous labiaplasty surgery. The nature of revision labiaplasty surgery will differ between people as each procedure is customised to the structural concern needing correction. Most types of revision labiaplasty are designed to target undesirable labiaplasty results that develop from poor surgical technique or a disrupted healing process during the recovery period.

Most types of labiaplasty concerns are considered minor in nature, although a labiaplasty reconstruction procedure may be required to address complex defects from previously botched labiaplasty surgery.

Labiaplasty revision is a different procedure from a reconstructive procedure. Both types of corrective surgery are designed to improve overall results from previous labiaplasty surgery, although the surgical techniques used for each procedure may differ significantly.

Labiaplasty revision surgery addresses minor imperfections from previous surgery that may otherwise have produced satisfactory results. Typical examples include slight asymmetry between the labia minora, uneven labial edges or excessive scarring. Revision surgery can also remove polyps or any other minor soft tissue defects that may develop after a primary labiaplasty.

Most types of revision labiaplasty are often quite straightforward to carry out. Any surgical adjustments can be carried out easily under a local anaesthetic procedure as an outpatient. It is important to bear in mind that every person is different, and the appropriate corrective surgery will be determined by the nature of the presenting problem.

Labiaplasty reconstruction is major surgery which requires extensive preoperative planning. This procedure is often better thought of as a redo procedure to address significant unhappiness from a botched Labiaplasty. Labiaplasty reconstructive surgery is designed to correct major problems from previous surgery, including over resection of labia tissue and address new problems that have developed due to the first procedure. Reconstructive surgery can take over 3 to 4 hours to perform and may involve significant surgical correction. Fewer people are suitable for reconstructive surgery as only up to 50% of patients will have problems that are amenable to surgical correction.

The best place to determine suitability for labiaplasty reconstruction or revision is to have a face-to-face consultation with Dr Dimitriadi. Patients who may be suitable for either revision or reconstructive labiaplasty include:

• Have had a previous labiaplasty procedure.
• Are dissatisfied with the results of the first procedure.
• Are medically fit to have revision surgery.
• Have waited a minimum of six months to undergo revision surgery.

Your surgeon will also consider other factors, including your expectations for treatment and whether these are considered realistic. A physical examination will help to assess whether labiaplasty revision or reconstructive surgery is feasible. This will depend on the extent of the problem from the first labiaplasty procedure. A full labiaplasty reconstruction is only suitable in up to half of all cases assessed.

Most types of labiaplasty surgery generally involve removing and reshaping labial tissue. If the extent of surgical deformities from excessive tissue removal is considered too great, the risks of labiaplasty reconstruction may be high enough to advise against it as a viable treatment option.

The best candidates for revision labiaplasty are those that have mild to moderate surgical defects and have realistic expectations of what the procedure can achieve. Aiming for a perfect result is not considered realistic, and your surgeon will explain the risks and complications of labiaplasty revision in detail at your consultation.

Dr Dimitriadi can use several different surgical techniques during either revision or reconstructive surgery, and the most appropriate technique chosen will be determined by the extent of the postoperative surgical deformity. Each revision labiaplasty procedure is carefully customised to the needs of each patient. In our experience, four common problems often require a labiaplasty revision and reconstruction.

Excessive tissue removal

This is duea to poor surgical technique by a surgeon who has a limited experience with carrying out labiaplasty. An inexperienced surgeon will often tug on the delicate labial tissue as the tissue is surgically removed with the trim technique or edge excision method. This fails to take account of the elastic nature of the labia. As the tissue returns to its normal size and shape, excessive tissue removal often becomes apparent during the healing phase. A labiaplasty reconstruction will be required to produce satisfactory results. Potential approaches to labiaplasty reconstruction depend on the amount of labial tissue that remains. A specialist labiaplasty surgeon can make use of residual labial tissue located close to the clitoral hood for the creation of an appropriately sized labia minora.

Insufficient tissue removed

This is a straightforward problem to correct with a revision labiaplasty. This common problem occurs when the original surgeon removes less tissue than desired by the patient due to a lack of understanding of the patient’s goals for treatment. An inexperienced surgeon may also be tentative in removing the appropriate amount of labial tissue. Corrective surgery is generally straightforward as it involves removing smaller amounts of extra tissue using either a trim or wedge technique.

RELATED: Trim Labiaplasty vs Wedge Labiaplasty

Separated wound edges

Wound edge separation often develops due to a localised haematoma beneath the skin due to a flawed surgical technique carried out by an inexperienced surgeon. The edges of the tissue which has been removed as part of a wedge labiaplasty often fail to heal correctly, which may result in the appearance of uneven edges, prominent scarring or the formation of ‘dog ears’, which is used to describe bunched up tissue towards one end of the incision. This problem often requires a reconstructive labiaplasty to completely revise the results of a previous botched wedge labiaplasty.

Excessive scarring

Failing to stitch the edges of the incision together with meticulous technique can result in the formation of excessive scarring. Some parts of the incision may have lumpy areas, while other women may notice obvious holes where stitches were previously holding the edges of the incision together.

This is a relatively straightforward problem to correct with revision surgery provided there is adequate labial tissue to be used in the procedure. Patients should wait at least three months before having revision surgery as the healing wound will contain delicate and friable tissue that is prone to repeat would breakdown.

Centre for Surgery is the leading cosmetic surgery clinic, and our cosmetic gynaecologists have many years of experience helping women in London and the surrounding areas. If you have been thinking of having corrective surgery as part of a labiaplasty revision or reconstructive surgery, please call us on 020 7993 4849 or complete the contact form below. Dr Dimitriadi is an expert in all the recognised labiaplasty techniques and will devise a detailed preoperative plan to give the best possible chance of success after revision or reconstructive labiaplasty Surgery. We commonly see women who have had botched labiaplasty surgery carried out overseas, especially in Turkey. A promise of cheap prices lured many patients. Unfortunately, the standards of medical care, including the surgeon’s experience, are often found to be inadequate.

Not everyone will be suitable for a labiaplasty revision or reconstruction. This is why choosing a highly experienced surgeon practising at a well-established private clinic such as Centre for Surgery in London is important.

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Zara Khan

19/11/2021

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18/11/2021

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14/11/2021

Very pleased with my whole experience of having a procedure. Was so nervous about getting treatment and i was reassured and felt so comfortable throughout thanks to the amazing nurses. I definitely made the right decision to have breast augmentation at centre for surgery with dr erel.

Melissa Briggs

08/11/2021

So glad I went with centre for surgery, the whole process went very smoothly from the consultations down to the actual day of the procedure. I was so nervous on the day but the whole team put me at ease and I’m happy with my results as I feel a lot more comfortable wearing certain clothes now. My surgeon was Alberto Di Giuseppe who performed a breast Augmentation on me, and I would definitely recommend as he was very clear on what the outcome of the surgery would be and which size would look the best for my frame.

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08/11/2021

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15/10/2021

From start to the finish everything was perfect for tummy tuck surgery. All staff is very friendly and the aftercare has been good. The Doctor and the nurse team was fantastic. I'm so happy...result is amazing. Thank you!!!

Ranjit Singh

14/10/2021

This was overall a great experience, all the staff at Centre for Surgery were friendly and put me at ease. It is a nerve wracking thing to go through an op but the staff were so nice. Mr Ertan has got a great team around him. On the day of the operation everything went smoothly to plan, there was no delay or holdups, I had another consultation with Mr Ertan who confirmed what was going to be done and that I was still happy to proceed. I was prepped for the procedure, I met with the anaesthetist who again was really nice and put me at ease explaining his role. After the procedure I woke up with the nurse by my side making sure I was OK and checking on me, I was able to stay in the clinic until I was ready to leave and was not rushed at all. I was well looked after from the start to the point when I was discharged. Post operation I was staying at a local hotel it was so close there was no point in even getting a taxi and I was able to walk back where my partner was waiting for me. I was expecting a lot of bruising to both my eyes but there was very little if any by the time the cast came off after 7 days, I am now at the two week post operation point and it is healing well with no outwardly visible bruising or scaring. The next milestone is a checkup at the 6 week point with my surgeon. If you're thinking of having something like this done I would highly recommend getting in touch with Centre for Surgery.

Layla Karami

13/10/2021

The staff at Centre for Surgery were very kind and accommodating. They answered any questions I had about the procedure and were constantly checking up on me. A special thank you to Christina for all her support throughout.

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08/10/2021

I would just like to state the quality of care received from the nurses at Centre for Surgery was beyond the highest level. Sophie takes her patient care to another level beyond words. She always puts me at ease. She is there for me even at awkward hours just when I mostly needed reassurance and she is one of the most compassionate nurses I have come across and demonstrates her passion naturally for caring for others. She totally deserves recognition at its finest and thank you for always being there for me. 😍